A new act in the Demirtaş-Arınç polemic: 'He is not someone who would say those words' remark

The controversy following former Parliament Speaker Bülent Arınç's visit to former HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş in prison continues.

Statements regarding the words Arınç allegedly attributed to Demirtaş have caused a major stir both in the public eye and within the AKP.

DEMİRTAŞ DENIED ARINÇ'S WORDS

Following Bülent Arınç's relaying of statements claiming that Demirtaş wanted to "meet with Erdoğan and say 'I hold no grudge against you'," Demirtaş issued a statement on the matter.

Demirtaş stated that these expressions did not belong to him and expressed his discomfort with his thoughts being distorted. The imprisoned former HDP leader emphasized that the statements in question did not even carry an implication, and stated that the comments appearing in the media were negatively affecting the process.

In his second statement, Demirtaş said that at a time when the Parliamentary Commission's visit to İmralı is being discussed, it is not right for personal polemics to divert the agenda. He pointed out that comments made using his name were harming the course of the process.

"NO DISTORTION OR FABRICATION"

Bülent Arınç responded to Demirtaş's statements, defending that he did not make any distortions in the expressions he relayed.

Arınç stated that the terms "distortion" and "fabrication" used by Demirtaş were unacceptable, and expressed that he has the political experience to understand under whose pressure these statements were made. He also emphasized that the developments had hurt him.

Another figure who joined the debate was AKP member Mehmet Metiner. Metiner stated that the meeting between Bülent Arınç and Selahattin Demirtaş was based on a foundation of trust. Metiner expressed that the content of the meetings should not be shared without the consent of the parties.

Metiner said, "This is a conversation that took place between two people. I do not find it right for any words to be shared without consent in a meeting based on trust." Furthermore, he said there was no evidence that Demirtaş had said those words to Bülent Arınç, who visited him. Metiner stated, "I haven't even heard an implication of those words from Demirtaş. Therefore, let me state my personal opinion: Demirtaş is not the type to say those words at all."